Al-Rahi before Heading to the Vatican: We Urge Miqati to Form Cabinet as Soon as Possible
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stressed Monday that the country can no longer tolerate a political vacuum, saying Premier-designate Najib Miqati should form the new government as soon as possible.
“Lebanon can no longer tolerate the inexistence of an executive authority,” al-Rahi told reporters at Beirut airport before heading to the Vatican.
There should be a cabinet that faces challenges particularly amid the turmoil in the region, he said.
When asked about attempts to abolish political confessionalism, al-Rahi wondered if that also meant the abolishment of the coexistence covenant which would lead to “the destruction of Lebanon.”
Thousands of Lebanese on Sunday rallied in Beirut calling for an end to the system of power-sharing along religious lines which they blame for the majority of problems afflicting the country.
Al-Rahi was also asked by reporters about a possible meeting in Bkirki soon to bring together top Christian officials.
“The church and the state should cooperate because we share partnership and love and live together,” the patriarch said. “Politicians can take their own decisions to implement these principles.”
“Any meeting among the Lebanese in the future would be based on this spirituality,” he said.
Al-Rahi was referring to a report in An Nahar daily that he would sponsor a meeting between Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel, Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and the head of the Marada movement, Suleiman Franjieh.
Voice of Lebanon radio station said the patriarch arrived at the airport in a vehicle driven by Caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud. Al-Rahi is scheduled to meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican to thank him for his trust. He will return to Beirut at the end of the week.
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